New Delhi, 5 January 2026 — In a significant leadership change at one of India’s most influential digital news platforms, Saurabh Dwivedi, founding editor of The Lallantop and Editor of India Today Hindi, has announced his departure from the India Today Group Digital after a 12‑year association. The group confirmed the transition on Monday, highlighting a generational leadership shift as they hand over reins to two key members of the founding team.
The announcement marks the end of a long and impactful journey for Dwivedi — who rose through the ranks from Features Editor at aajtak.in to become one of the best‑known faces of digital journalism in India’s Hindi heartland. Under his editorial stewardship, The Lallantop evolved into a major online news and entertainment brand, drawing millions of young viewers with its distinctive voice and innovative storytelling.
From Features Editor to Founding Visionary
Dwivedi’s journey in the India Today Group began as a Features Editor for aajtak.in, where his work soon earned attention for dynamic and accessible news presentation. Later, alongside co‑founder Kamlesh Singh, he helped conceptualise and build The Lallantop — a digital news platform that blended news, culture, politics and grassroots reporting in conversational Hindi tailored for younger audiences.
Under his leadership, The Lallantop grew into one of India’s most‑subscribed digital news brands — with close to 35 million subscribers on YouTube and over 250 million views last month alone, according to the group’s internal announcement. The platform’s “baithaki” style journalism and long‑form interviews helped it stand out in a crowded online media landscape.
Leadership Transition: Homegrown Talent Takes Over
As part of the transition, the India Today Group has appointed two long‑time Lallantop team members to key roles:
- Kuldeep Mishra, a founding team member and familiar face on flagship shows like The LT Show and Netanagari, will take full charge of editorial operations.
- Rajat Sain, another founding member who has led the brand’s production innovations, will now lead the production team.
The changes have been described by the group as a homegrown generational shift, reflecting confidence in internal talent that has been nurtured over the years at The Lallantop.
India Today Group Vice Chairperson Kalli Purie praised Dwivedi’s contributions, noting his role in shaping the brand into a credible alternative news platform for audiences across India. While expressing that he will be missed, she also conveyed optimism about the new leadership and the organisation’s future trajectory.
What Dwivedi’s Departure Means for Digital News
Saurabh Dwivedi has been both a popular and polarising figure in digital media. His editorial style blended traditional reporting with engaging narratives and conversational Hindi that appealed especially to younger viewers in urban and rural India alike. The Lallantop became known for its reader‑friendly format, deep dives on political and social topics, and long‑form interviews with public figures across the spectrum.
The brand also courted attention with high‑profile debates and discussions — including nationally watched programs that stirred widespread online engagement. While the internal departure announcement framed his move as exploring new creative opportunities outside the group’s portfolio, media observers note that the timing coincides with heightened public discussion around some of the platform’s recent programming, such as widely shared debates and interviews.
Although the group has not publicly linked his departure to any specific controversy, the shift comes amid broader changes in India’s digital news ecosystem — where audience expectations, regulatory environments and platform dynamics are evolving rapidly.
Next Steps for Dwivedi and The Lallantop
The internal announcement indicated that Dwivedi plans to explore new opportunities across diverse creative domains, including mediums and formats outside the India Today Group portfolio.
While specific details about his next venture have not yet been disclosed, speculation in media circles suggests he might launch his own media or content initiative, leveraging his strong personal brand and deep audience reach.
Industry watchers also see his departure in the context of larger trends, where seasoned journalists increasingly opt to build independent platforms or pursue entrepreneurship in a crowded digital content landscape.
For The Lallantop, the leadership change highlights a strategic pivot — maintaining editorial continuity through founders and homegrown talent, while positioning the brand to adapt to future content trends under new guidance.
Why This Matters
Industry Impact: The Lallantop has been a benchmark for youth‑oriented digital journalism in India, and Dwivedi’s exit is one of the most notable media leadership changes of early 2026.
Audience Reach: With tens of millions of subscribers and massive monthly engagement, the platform’s evolution will be closely watched by advertisers, content creators and digital news competitors.
Media Leadership Trends: The transition underscores how legacy media groups are nurturing next‑generation leaders from within to stay relevant in a fast‑moving digital news market.
Summary
Saurabh Dwivedi, the founding editor of The Lallantop and a prominent voice in Hindi digital journalism, is moving on from the India Today Group after 12 years. Under his editorial leadership, The Lallantop grew into a major digital news platform with tens of millions of followers.
The India Today Group has announced a generational leadership transition, appointing Kuldeep Mishra to lead editorial and Rajat Sain to guide production — both long‑time members of the founding team. Dwivedi plans to explore creative opportunities beyond the group, while his departure marks a notable moment in India’s evolving digital media landscape.
